Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tio Pete-

Thinking of you today (and always), the 10 year anniversary of your passing. We were all fortunate to have known you, even if you were taken away from us too soon. We can still hear your contagious laugh.

Rubi

Rubi Pacheco-Rivera
Neice

September 21, 2010

RIP brother.

SA
FBI

November 24, 2009

Your birthday just past and for the first time since the day you were buried I witnessed your baby brother cry for you. Remembering the times that you held each other together as only brothers could. He misses you so much. There is not one day that goes by that we don't think about you. I remember over 16 years ago when I started dating your brother, how you always cracked jokes about the house on Mascher Street and when you made it into the academy how you always tried to take someone down at a family party or holiday get together or the time you scared the life out of me by jumping out of the coffin on halloween. You left us all with wonderful memories. We will keep your memory alive and hope to become half of the person you were.

With Love,
Your Sister-in-law
Monica

Monica Ortiz
Sister-in-law

March 4, 2009

Thankyou for everything you did for our city. You will always be remembered for the hero you are. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 27, 2009

You are not nor will you ever be forgotten. Your family will always be in my prayers.

Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police

September 25, 2008

To the family and friends of Officer Jose Ortiz and his fellow officers in the Philadelphia Police Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to Jose's memory on the eighth anniversary of the day Jose so tragically lost his life. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish, especially Teresa and Nicole, that you are still experiencing.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of service Jose gave to his community and the citizens of Pennsylvania, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 21, 2000.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

September 21, 2008

PAPITO...LIFE IS REALLY CRAZY, WHEN I THINK OF YOU. I REMEMBER PLAYING IN AN ALL STAR GAME AT LIGHTHOUSE, AND YOU MADE A SPECTACULAR CATCH IN CENTER FIELD. THE REASON THAT IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR IN MY MEMORY IS BECAUSE I WAS KICKED OUT OF THE GAME DUE TO THE LANGUAGE I USED DESCRIBING YOUR CATCH. ANYWAYS THAT IS JUST ONE MEMORY. I HAVE A FEW. I PLAYED AT LIGHTHOUSE FOR YEARS AND REMEMBER YOU AS AN UMPIRE AND TEAM MATE. WHEN I RETURNED FROM THE MILITARY I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE YOU IN UNIFORM AS WELL. WHEN I SAW YOU IT MADE ME PROUD TO KNOW YOU. YOU REPRESENTED OUR COMMUNITY. GOD BLESS YOU FRIEND...EVERY TIME I VISIT PHILLY, I DRIVE DOWN YOUR STREET AND REMEMBER THAT CATCH.

LIGHTHOUSE

August 9, 2008

Jose you were such an irritating guy when you wanted to prove a point, but with out a doubt you very fair & just. You were such an aggresive officer your presence was missed the day you were taken from us. I miss our conversations. Rest in peace Hermano.

Sgt. Pedro Rosario
Philadelphia Police & Friend

May 23, 2008

Rest in Peace, my friend, my brother.

A friend from Mascher St.

May 5, 2008

We will be attending the FOP Memorial luncheon in Phila. next week with Theresa and Nicole. How sad that she was so young that her memories are distant. We will never forget you and will take her to functions where you will be honored and remembered.
love you,

Arlene

mother-in-law

April 30, 2008

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice, you are a hero for us all to look up too. GOD bless your family, you will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA

April 20, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

April 15, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 24, 2008

12/25/07 Thinking of you today and every Holiday, Pete.
Merry Christmas in Heaven!
Love, mother-in-law Arlene

mother-in-law

December 25, 2007

PETE,
YOU ARE MISSED BY ALL. IT WAS HARD TO SEE MY FAMILY GREIVE YOUR LOSS AND STILL BE SO KIND A GENTLE. YOUR DAUGHTER IS A BEAUTIFUL, SMART, FUNNY YOUNG LADY. I'M SURE YOUR VERY PROUD!!! THERESA HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB, TO CARRY ON YOUR LEGACY (I LOVE YOU, THERESA). I WAS HONORED TO HAVE YOU HELP ME THROUGH THE POLICE ACADEMY. YOU ALWAYS WERE AN ANGEL, GIVING OF YOURSELF. THANKS!!!!!!!
LOVE YOU,
KASSY.

HE STILL PATROLS THE HEAVENS AND REST SAFELY IN THE ARMS OF ANGEL'S. SADNESS WILL COME TO PASS AS YOU GRIEVE, BUT THE MEMORIES YOU HOLD MOST DEAR WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. MAY THE LORD GRANT THE ORTIZ FAMILY COMFORT AND CLOSURE.

P/O KASSY DURKIN/MCMAHON
THERESA'S COUSIN

November 8, 2007

Rest in peace knowing that we will never forget you.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 21, 2007

I only knew you for a short time but I know you were a great man and loving father. Your nephew always talked about his Tio Pete and how you were his role model. Do not worry because your daughter is a very intelligent young lady and she has a wonderful mother raising her. You should know that you are not forgotten and your family is always talking about the Halloween stories. Rest in peace Officer Pete.

Lolyta Perez
In-Law

September 21, 2007

Wow uncle Pete how the years have flown by, We miss you so much, you have left us, but have opened our hearts, we miss you dearly, everything reminds us of you, such as all the events on ice that you used to take us all too, they all remind us of you, and how you loved halloween and scaring the kids, lol, we miss that, but never will we forget the memories, Uncle Pete nicole is so beautiful, she looks like our family so much, Just keep an eye on us and we will see you when we get there, Muah loving and missing you always, the Ortiz family.

Maggie Perez
Niece

September 20, 2007

You are truly a hero to many people and are very much missed. Nicole is a beautiful, smart and generous young lady. She reminds me of you in so many ways. Curtain expressions or silly remarks are totally you. I will never let her forget her father and what a hero he was. As for Tina Hudrick I really never heard from or talked to her. I am sure that she is living the pain that all of us have lived these 7 years. If you were here I am sure you would tell her you forgive her. I have a hard time with that but know it is the right thing to do. You will never get the chance to see how your little girl has grown and that hurts the most. I love you and miss you more than anyone could know.

Love,
Theresa

Theresa
Wife

August 25, 2007

Uncle Pete
I will never forget the day that you left us. I was in college and i was watching the news when all of a sudden i see my family on tv. At first i didn't know what was going on but then i realized what happened. Our world was falling down. Our hero was no longer here. The only person in our family to make something of himself is gone. Every year that has passed by we the family remember you and have a service in your name. Just reminding you that you are gone but never forgotten. Nicole is so beautiful and looks just like our family. Just remember that we will take good care of her. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DEARLY.. I will see you when i get there. love you and miss you, your neice.

Maggie Perez
Niece

April 9, 2007

MY CLASSMATE, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN...I AM HONORED TO HAVE KNOWN YOU. YOUR PRESENCE IS MISSED IN MY LIFE.

GODSPEED MY BROTHER

CLASS 318

April 6, 2007

It has been 6 years since your tour of duty ended. You have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Keep watch over that big family of yours, stay close to them and protect them.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

September 21, 2006

P/O Ortiz, you are not forgotten.

P/O #5434
Philadelphia PD

May 30, 2006

I'm currently going through the process of trying to become a Philadelphia Police Officer. One day I came across this website and I've made it my goal to read the names and stories of every Philadelphia Police Officer killed while on duty, as a way to honor their memories. Officer Ortiz's story stuck out to me because he reminds me of the type of officer I would like to be. As I read the stories of how each officer was killed I'm saddened but also filled with a sense of pride, because I know that I've chosen one of the noblest professions one can chose. Being a polce officer isn't a job its a commitment to a new family. To those officers that have lost that feeling of enthusiam and pride, I hope by reading my reflection you realize how much respect and admiration I and everyone have for the job you do. To all the members of the Philadelphia Police Department who have lost their lives and especially Officer Ortiz I hope to honor your memory by one day patrolling the same streets you all once did. Honor, Integrity, Service.

S/O Neftali Ramos
University of Pennsylvania

March 4, 2006

It can never be truly said how many lives you saved just doing your job. When you were taken from this life, you continued to save lives with the donation of your organs. Truly an amazing man, in life and death.

Your organs went on to keep others alive so your body never really died. Your spirit is still amongst your friends, loved ones and co-workers as you watch over them.

God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

November 21, 2005